When you’ve been a coaching legend for nearly four decades, you earn the right to have a sharp tongue—and Geno Auriemma has sharpened his to perfection. The UConn coach, known for his unmatched success and quick wit, recently gave fans a dose of his comedic genius when he took aim at his former stars Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi on their ESPN show, The Bird & Taurasi Show.
Bird and Taurasi are royalty in the basketball world, and they owe a good chunk of that status to Auriemma. The duo led UConn to glory during their college years and went on to dominate the WNBA like it was their personal playground. But if you think all that history makes Geno soft on his protégées, think again.
“I’ve been around those two for so long,” Auriemma said back in 2022, “I really, truly have no interest in hearing anything they have to say. On any topic. Especially me. But I’m sure they were funny as hell.”
This is peak Geno: the guy who doesn’t hesitate to roast his former stars while secretly being proud of their success. But here’s the kicker—despite his reluctance, he did eventually say yes to appearing on their show.
“I never thought I wouldn’t be invited,” Auriemma joked. “I never thought I’d say yes, just honestly.”
Whether it was peer pressure, guilt, or simply the promise of good TV, Geno finally joined Bird and Taurasi on their show. And predictably, he brought his A-game, firing zingers and keeping the banter alive.
A Legacy Beyond Words—and Roasts
Auriemma’s relationship with Bird and Taurasi is built on more than sarcasm. The coach has guided generations of superstars, with Bird and Taurasi just the tip of the iceberg. After their era, Geno continued to churn out champions, including Maya Moore, who racked up four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx.
But make no mistake—Auriemma’s focus has always been on the next generation. This season, he’s got his eyes on Paige Bueckers, a player he believes has the magic to lead UConn back to the top of the NCAA mountain.
“Every time Paige has the ball and we’d get a ball screen, they were trapping her,” Auriemma explained recently. “Well, that opens up a four-on-three situation, and you have to capitalize on it. And we kept doing it, and we kept capitalizing on it.”
High praise from a man who’s notoriously hard to impress.
“She’s so unselfish,” he added. “She’s not going to go out there and just start taking bad shots to shoot the ball. She’s going to do other things—10 rebounds, good defense, assists. Just having her on the floor makes everyone else better.”
Geno’s Greatest Skill: Keeping it Real
For all his accolades, Auriemma’s greatest talent might be his ability to keep things real. Whether he’s ribbing Bird and Taurasi, praising Bueckers, or dissecting his team’s flaws, Geno brings a refreshing mix of humor, candor, and brilliance to the game.
As UConn battles for another championship, one thing is certain: win or lose, Geno Auriemma will find a way to entertain us all—whether on the court or behind a microphone. And who knows? Maybe he’ll find another opportunity to roast Bird and Taurasi along the way.
It’s not just basketball; it’s the Geno Auriemma experience. And frankly, we’re all better for it.
